Improved Method for Measuring Total Dissolved Solids

The measurement of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is important for characterizing water quality in environmental science and engineering applications. Traditional methods of gravimetric determination and correlation with electrical conductivity are long-standing techniques but retain significant limitations. Here a novel method is reported for measuring TDS using charged aerosol detection without chromatographic separation. The method is rapid, simple, requires low sample volume, and has a low detection limit (0.054mg/L). In addition, the method offers improvements compared to traditional gravimetric and electrochemical methods with respect to measuring semivolatile compounds, combustible organics, and nonconductive species. As a result, the method offers a novel and improved approach with broad applications.